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The Water of Leith.] ST. BERNARD?S WELL. 75
To protect it, a stone covering of some kind was
proposed, and in that year the foundation thereof
was actually laid by ?? Alexander Drummond,
brother of Provost Drummond, lately British Consul
at Aleppo, and Provincial Grand Master of all
the Lodges in Asia and Europe holding of the
Grand Lodge, Scotland.? The brethren in their
insignia were present, the spring was named St.
Bernard?s Well, and the subject inspired the local
muse of Claudero.
A silly legend tells how St. Bernard, being sent
on a mission to the Scottish Court, was met with
so cold a reception that, in chagrin, he came to
this picturesque valley, and occupied a cave in
the vicinity of the well, to which his attention was
attracted by the number of birds that resorted to
it, and ere long he announced its virtues to the
people There is undoubtedly a cave, and of no
inconsiderable dimensions, in the cliffs to the westward,
and it is now entirely hidden by the boundarywall
at the back of Randolph Cliff; but, unfortunately
for the legend, in the Bollandists there are
at least three St Bernards, not one of whom ever
was on British soil.
The present well-a handsome Doric temple,
with a dome, designed by Nasmyth, after the Sybils?
Temple at Tivoli-was really founded by Lord
Gardenstone in May, 1789, after he had derived
great benefit from drinking the waters. ?The
foundation stone was laid,? says the Advertiser for
that year, ?? in presence of several gentlemen of the
neighbourhood.? A metal plate was sunk into it
with the following inscription ;-
?< Erected for the benefit of the Public, at the sole expense
of Francis Garden, Esq., of Troupe, one of the senators of
the College of Justice, A.D. 1789. Alexander Nasmyth,
Architect ; John Wilson, Buiider.?
A fine statue of Hygeia, by Coade of London,
was placed within the pillars of the temple. For
thirty years after its erection it was untouched by
the hand of mischief, but now it is so battered
by stones as to be a perfect wreck. Since the
days of Lord Gardenstone the well has always
been more or less frequented. A careful analysis
of the water by Dr. Stevenson Macadam, showed
that it resembled closely the Harrogate springs.
The morning is the best time for drinking it.
During some recent drainage operations the water
entirely disappeared, and it was thought the public
would lose the benefit of it for ever; but after a
time it returned, with its medicinal virtues stronger
than ever.
A plain little circular building was erected in
1810 over another spring that existed a little to
the westward of St. Bernard?s, by Mr. Macdonald
of Stockbridge, who named it St. George?s Well.
The water is said to be the sameas that of the
former, but if so, no use has been made of it for
many years past. From its vicinity to the well.
Upper Dean Terrace, when first built, was called
Mineral Street. In those days India Place was
called Athole Street; Leggat?s Land was Braid?s
Row; and Veitch?s Square (built by a reputable
old baker of that name) was called Virgin?s Square.
The removal of the greater part of the latter,
which consisted of four rows of cottages, thirty in
number, and all thatched with straw, alters one of
the most quaint localities in old Stockbridge. Each
consisted only of a ?but and a ben?-i.e., two
apartments-and in the centre was a spacious
bleaching green, past which flowed the Leith, in
those days pure and limpid. The cottages were
chiefly. if not wholly, occupied by blanchtsseuses,
and hence its name.
The great playground of the village children was
the open and flat piece of land in the Haugh, near
Inverleith, known as the Whins, covered now by
Hugh Miller Place and nine other streets of artisans?
houses.
In past times flour-mills and tan-pits were the
chief means of affording work for the people of
Stockbridge. About 1814 a china manufactory
was started on a small scale on the Dean Bank
grounds, near where Saxe-Coburg Place stands
now. It proved a failure, but some pieces of the
?Stockbridge china? are still preserved in the
Industrial Museum.
As population increased in this district new
churches were required. Claremont Street Chapel,
now called St. Bernard?s Church, was built for
those who were connected with the Establishment,
at a cost of ~4,000, and opened in November, 1823.
Its first incumbent was the Rev. James Henderson of
Berwick, afterwards of Free St. Enoch?s, Glasgow.
About the year 1826, persons connected with
the Relief Church built Dean Street Church in
the narrow street at the back of the great crescent,
and named it St. Bernards Chapel. It was after- ?
wards sold to the United Secession body. In the
year 1843, at the Disruption, the Rev. Alexander
Brown, of St. Bernard?s, with a great portion of his
congregation, withdrew from the Church of Scotland,
and formed Free St. Bernard?s; and, more recently,
additional accommodation has been provided for
those of that persuasion by the re-erection in its
own mass, at Deanhaugh Street, of St. George?s
Free Church, which was built in the Norman style
of architecture, for the Rev. Dr. Candlish, at St.
Cuthbert?s Lane.
Mrs. Gordon is correct in stating that Stockbridge

... Water of Leith.] ST. BERNARD?S WELL. 75 To protect it, a stone covering of some kind was proposed, and in ...

Book 5 p. 75
(Score 0.49)

78 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Edinburgh Castle.
entrance to the apartment in which her daughter
was delivered of James VI, It was formerly part
of a large room which, before being partitioned,
measured 30 by 25 feet. On the I 1 th of February,
1567, after the murder of Darnley, Mary retired
to this apartment, where she had the walls hung
with black, and remained in strict seclusion until
after the funeral. Killigrew, who came from
Elizabeth with letters of condolence, on his introduction
found (( tbe Queen?s Majesty in a
dark chamber, so that he could not see her
face, but by her words she seemed very doleful.?
In 1849, an antique iron chisel, spear-shaped,
was found in the fireplace of this apartment,
which was long used as a canteen for the soldiers,
but has now been renovated, though in a rude
and inelegant form.
Below the grand hall are a double tier of
strongly-vaulted dungeons, entered by a passage
from the west, and secured by an intricate arrangement,
of iron gates and massive chains. In one
of these Kirkaldy of Grange buried his brother
David Melville. The small loophole that admits
light into each of these huge vaults, whose
origin is lost in the mists of antiquity, is strongly
secured by three ranges of iron bars. Within these
drear abodes have captives of all kinds pined, and
latterly the French prisoners, forty of whom slept
in each. In some are still the wooden frames to
which their hammocks were slung. Under Queen
Mary?s room there is one dungeon excavated out
of the solid rock, and having, as we have said, an
iron staple in its wall to which the prisoner was
chained.
The north side of the quadrangle consists now
of an uninteresting block of barracks, erected about
the middle of the eighteenth century, and altered,
but scarcely improved, in 1860-2, by the Royal Engineers
and Mr. Charles W. Billings. It occupies the
site, and was built from the materials, of what was
once a church of vast dimensions and unknown antiquity,
but the great western gable of which was long
ago a conspicuous feature above the eastern curtain
wall. By Maitland it is described as ((a very long
and large ancient church, which from its spacious
dimensions I imagine that it was not only built for
the use of the garrison, but for the service of the
neighbouring hinabitants before St. Giles?s church
was erected for their accommodation.? Its great
font, and many beautifully carved stones were found
built into the barrack wall during recent alterations.
It is supposed to have been a church erected after
the death of the pious Queen Margaret, and dedicated
to her, as it is mentioned by David I. in his
Holyrood charter as ?the church of the Castle
of Edinburgh,? and is again confirmed as such in the
charter of Alexander 111. and several Papal bulls,
and the ?( paroche kirk within the said Castell,? is
distinctly referred to by the Presbytery of Edinburgh
in 1595.? In 1753 it was divided into three
storeys, and filled with tents, cannon, and other munitions
of war.
A winding stair descends from the new barracks
to the butts, where the rock is defended
by the western wall and Bute?s Battery, near which,
at an angle, a turret, named the Queen?s Post,
occupies the site of St. Margaret?s Tower. Fifty
feet below the level of the rock is another guardhouse
and one of the draw-wells poisoned by the
Englishin 1572. Kear it is the ancient posterngate,
where Dundee held his parley with the Duke of
Gordon in 1688, and through which, perhaps, St.
Margaret?s body was borne in 1093.
From thence there is a sudden ascent by steps,
behind the banquette of the bastions and near
the principal, magazine, to Mylne?s Mount, where
there is another grate for a bale-fire to alarm Fife,
Stirling, and the north. The fortifications are
irregular, furnished throughout with strong stone
turrets, and prepared for mounting about sixty
pieces of cannon. Two door-lintels covered with
curious sculptures are still preserved : one over the
entrance to the ordnance office represents Mons
Meg and other ancient cannon ; the other a cannoneer
of the sixteenth century, in complete armour,
in the act of loading a small culverin.
The Castle farm is said to have been the ancient
village of Broughton, which St. David granted to
the monks of Holyrood ; the Castle gardens we
have already referred to; and to the barns, stables,
and lists attached to it, we shall have occasion to
refer elsewhere.
The Castle company was a corps of Scottish
soldiers raised in January 1661, and formed a
permanent part of the garrison till 1818, when,
with the ancient band of Mary of Guise, which
garrisoned the Castle of Stirling, they were incorporated
in cne of the thirteen veteran battalions
emjodied in that year. The Castle being within
the abrogated parish of Holyrood, has a burial-place
for its garrison in the Canongate churchyard ; but
dead have been buried within the walls frequently
during sieges and blockades, as in 1745, when nineteen
soldiers and three women were interred on the
summit of the rock.
The Castle is capable of containing 3,000 infantry;
but the accommodation for troops is greatly ;
neglected by Government, and the barracks have
Wodmw?s ? I Miscellany.?

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Edinburgh Castle. entrance to the apartment in which her daughter was delivered of ...

Book 1 p. 78
(Score 0.49)

254 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Leith.
The first volume of the ?? Parochial Records ?
begins in January, 1605, a year before the Act,
and contains the usual memoranda of petty tyranny
peculiar to the times, such as the following, modernised
:-
? Compeared Margaret Siclair, being cited by
the Session of the Kirk, and being accused of
being at the Bume (for water?) the last Sabbath
before sermon, confessed, her offence, promised
amendment in all time coming, and was convict of
five pounds.? ?? 10th January, 1605 :-The which day the Session
of the Kirk ordained Janet Merling, and Margaret
Cook, her mother, to make their public repentance
next Sabbath forenoon publicly, for concealing
a bairn unbaptised in her house for the space of
twenty weeks, and calling the said bairn Janet.?
?January ~oth, 1605 :-Cornpeared Marion Anderson,
accused of craving curses and malisons on
the pastor and his family, without any offence being
done by him to her ; and the Session, understanding
that she had been banished before for being in a
lodge on the Links in time of the Plague, with one
Thomas Cooper, sclaiter, after ane maist slanderous
manner, the said Marion was ordained to go to the
place of her offence, confess her sin, and crave
mercy of God,? and never to be found within the
bounds of North Leith, ?under the pain of putting
her toties puoh?es in the jogis,? Le., jougs.
In 1609 Patrick Richardson had to crave mercy
of God for being found in his boat in time of
afternoon sermon ; and many other instances of the
same kind are quoted by Robertson in his ?Antiquities.?
In the same year, Janet Walker, accused
of having strangers (visitors) in her house on Sabbath
in time of sermon, had to confess her offence, and
on her knees crave mercy of God and the Kirk
Session, under penalty of a hundred pounds Scots !
George Wishart, so well known as author of the
elegant ?? Latin Memoirs of Montrose,? a copy of
which was suspended at the neck of that great
cavalier and soldier at his execution in 1650, was
appointed minister of North Leith in 1638, when
the signing of the Covenant, as a protection against
England and the king, became almost necessarily
the established test of faith and allegiance to Scotland.
Deposed for refusing to subscribe it,
Wishart was thrown into a dungeon of the old
Heart of Midlothian, in consequence of the discovery
of his secret correspondence with the king?s
party. He survived the storm of the Civil Wars,
and was made Bishop of Edinburgh on the reestablishment
of episcopacy.
He died in 1671, in his seventy-first year, and
was buried in Holyrood, where his tomb is still to
be seen, with an inscription so long that it amounts
to a species of biography.
John Knox, minister of North Leith, was, in 1684,
committed to the Bass Rock. While a probationer,
he was in the Scottish army, and chaplain to the
garrison in Tantallon when it was besieged by
Cromwell?s troops. He conveyed the Earl of
Angus and some ladies privately in a boat to
North Berwick, and returned secretly to the Castle,
and was taken prisoner when it capitulated. He
was a confidant of the exiled monarch, and supplied
him with money. A curious mendicant letter to
him from His Majesty is given in the ?Scots
Worthies.?
4 The last minister who officiated in the Church
of St. Ninian-now degraded to a granary or store
-was the venerable Dr. Johnston, the joint founder
of the Edinburgh Blind Asylum, who held the incumbency
for more than half a century. The old
edifice had become unsuited to modem requirements
; thus the foundation of a new parish church
for North Leith had been completed elsewhere in
1816, and on the zgthof August in that year he took
a very affecting leave of the old parish church in
which he had officiated so long.
?? He expressed sentiments of warm attachment
to a flock among which Providence had so long
permitted him to minister,? says the Scofs Magazine
(Vol. LXXVII.); ?and in alluding, with much
feeling, to his own advanced age, mentioned his
entire sensibility of the approach of that period
when the speaker and the hearer should no longer
dwell together, and hoped they should ultimately
rejoice in ? a house not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens.? ??
Before ten a.m. on the 1st September a great
crowd collected before the door of the new church,
which was speedily filled. All corporate bodies
having an interest in it, including the magistrates
of the Canongate, were present, and Dr. Johnston,
after reading the 6th chapter of z Chronicles,
delivered a sermon and solemn address, which
affected all who heard it.
The Rev. David Johnston, D.D., died on the
5th of July, 1824, aged ninety-one years.
Four years after, the Cowant had the following
announcement :-? The public are aware of the
many claims which the late Dr. Johnston of North
Leith had on the grateful remembrance of the
community. Few men have exerted themselves so
assiduously in forwarding the great objects of religion
and philanthropy, and it gives us much pleasure
to learn that a, well-merited tribute to his memory
has just been completed in the erection of a beautiful
bust in the church of North Leith. The follow

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Leith. The first volume of the ?? Parochial Records ? begins in January, 1605, a year ...

Book 6 p. 254
(Score 0.48)

?The West Chum.: MR. ROBER?T PONT. 13x1
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CHURCH OF ST. CUTHBERT.
Iiirtory and Antiquity-Old Views of it Described-First Protestant Incumbeqts-The Old hlanse-Old Communion Cups-Pillaged by Cmmwdi
-Ruined by the Siege of 1689, and again in ~g+~-Deaths of Messrs. McVicar and Pitcairn-Early Body-snatchem-Demolition of the Old
Church-Erection of the Ncw-Cax of Heart-bud-Old Tombs and Vaults-The Nisbets of Deau-The Old Poor How-Kirkbraehud
Road-Lothian Road-Dr. Candlish?s Church-Military Academy-New Caledonian Railway Station.
IN the hollow or vale at the end of which the North
Loch lay there stands one of the most hideous
churches in Edinbutgh, known as the West Kirk,
occupying the exact site of the Culdee Church of
St. Cuthbert, the parish of which was the largest
in Midlothian, and nearly encircled the whole of
the city without the walls. Its age was greater than
that of any record in Scotland. It was supposed
to have been built in the eighth century, and was
dedicated to St. Cuthbert, the Bishop of Durham,
who died on the 20th of March, 687.
In Gordon of Rothiemay?s bird?s-eye view it
appears a long, narrow building, with one transept
or aisle, on the south, a high square tower of three
storeys at the south-west corner, and a belfry.
The burying-ground is square, with rows of trees
to the westward. On the south of the buryingground
is a long row of two-storeyed houses, with a
gate leading to the present road west of the Castle
rock, and another on the north, leading to the
pathway which yet exists up the slope to Princes
Street, from which point it long was known as the
Kirk Loan to Stockbridge.
A view taken in 1772 represents it as a curious
assorlment of four barn-like masses of building,
having a square spire of five storeys in height in
the centre, and the western end an open ruinthe
western kirk-with a bell hung 011 a wooden
frame. Northward lies the hare open expznse, or
ridge, whereon the first street of the new town was
built.
After the Reformation the first incumbent settled
here would seem to have been a pious tailor, named
William Harlow, who was born in the city about
1500, but fled to England, where he obtained
deacon?s orders and became a preacher during the
reign of Edward VI. On the death of the, latter,
and accession of Mary, he was compelled to seek
refuge in Scotland, and in 1556 he began ?pub
,licly to exhort in Edinburgh,? for which he was
excommunicated by the Catholic authorities, whose
days were numbered now; and four years after,
when installed at St. Cuthbert?s, ? Mr. Harlow attended
the meeting of the first General Assembly,
held in Edinburgh on the 20th of December, 1560.
He died in 1578, but four years before that event
Mr. Robert Pont, afterwards ah eminent judge and
miscellaneous writer, was ordained to the ministry
of St. Cuthbert?s in his thirtieth year, at the time
he was, with others, appointed by the Assembly
to revise all books that were printed and published.
About the saiiie period he drew up the Calendar,
and framed the rule to understaqd it, for Arbuthnot
and Bassandyne?s famous edition of the Bible. In .
1571 he had been a Lord of Session and Provost
of the Trinity College.
On Mr. Pont being transferred in 1582, Mr.
Nicol Dalgleish came in his place ; but the former,
being unable to procure a stipend, returned to his
old charge, conjointly with his successor. IVhen
James VI. insidiously began his attempts to introduce
Episcopacy, Mr. Pont, a zealous defender of
Presbyterianism, with two other ministers, actually
repaired to the Parliament House, with the design
of protesting for the rights of the Church in the face
of the Estates; but finding the doors shut against
them, they repaired to the City Cross, and when
the obnoxious ?Black Acts ? were proclaimed, pub.
licly denounced them, and then fled to England,
followed by most of the clergy in Edinburgh.
Meanwhile Nicol Dalgleish, for merely praying
for them, was tried for his life, and acquitted, but
he was indicted anew for corresponding with the
rebels, because he had read a letter which one of
the banished ministers had sent to his wife. For
this fault sentence of death was passed upon him ;
but though it was not executed, by a refinement of
cruelty the scaffold on which he expected to die was
kept standing for several weeks before the windows
of his prison.
While Mr. Pont remained a fugitive, William
Aird, a stonemason, ? an extraordinary witness,
stirred cp by God,? says Calderwood, ?Land
mamed, learned first of his wife to speak English,?
was appointed, in the winter of 1584, colleague to
Mr. Dalgleish, who, on the return of Mr. Pont in
1585, ? was nominated to the principality of Aberdeen.?
Aware
of the igqorance of most of their parishioners concerning
the doctrines of the Protestant faith, and
that many had no faith- whatever, they offered to
devote the forenoon of every Thursday to public
tzaching, and to this end a meeting was held on
Pont?s next colleague was Mr. Aird.

... West Chum.: MR. ROBER?T PONT. 13x1 CHAPTER XVIII. THE CHURCH OF ST. CUTHBERT. Iiirtory and Antiquity-Old ...

Book 3 p. 131
(Score 0.48)

58 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [~dpUCd.
proper exertions been made for their repair and
preservation, particularly by the Bishop o? Orkney,
and ere it shrank to the proportions of a chapel.
But even when the Reformation was in full progress
the following entry appears in the accounts of the
Lord High Treasurer, under date the 8th February,
1557-8 :-A36 ?to David Melville, indweller in
,Leith, for ane pair of organs to the chapel in the
palace of Holyroodhouse.?
The remains of George Earl of Huntly, who
was slain at the battle of Corrichie, when he was
in rebellion against the Crown, were brought by
sea to Edinburgh in 1562, and kept all winter
unburied in the Abbey of Holyrood-most proba,
bly in the church. Then an indictment for high
treason was exhibited against him in the month
of May following, ?eftir that he was deid and departit
frae this mortal lyfe,? and the corpse was
laid before Parliament : in this instance showing
the rancour of party and the absurdity of old feudal
laws.
It was somewhere about this time that the new
royal vault was constructed in the south aisle ol
the nave, and the remains of the kings and queens
were removed from their ancient resting-place near
the high altar. It is built against the ancient
Norman doorway of the cloisters, which still remains
externally, with its slender shafts and beautiful
zigzag mouldings of the days of David I. ?The
cloisters,? says Wilson, ?? appear to have enclosed
a large court, formed in the angle of the nave and
transept. The remains of the north are clearly
traceable still, and the site of the west side is occupied
by palace buildings. Here was the ambulatory
for the old monks, when the magnificent
foundation of St. David retained its pristine splendour,
and remained probably till the burning of
the abbey after the death of James V.2 who was
buried there beside his first queen in December
1542, and his second son, Arthur Duke of Albany,
a child eight days old, who died at Stirling.
In the royal vault also lie the remains of David
11. ; Prince Arthur, third son of James IV., who
died in the castle, July 15th, 1510, aged nine
months ; Henry, Lord Darnley, murdered 1567 j
and Jane, Countess of Argyle, who was at supper
with her sister, the queen, on the night of Rizzio?s
assassination. ? Dying without issue, she was enclosed
in one of the richest coffins ever seen in
Scotland, the compartments and inscriptions being
all of solid gold.? In the same vault were de.
posited the remains of the Duchess de Grammont,
who died an exile at Holyrood in 1803 ; and, in
the days of Queen Victoria, the remains of Mary of
Gueldres, queen of James 11.
?
Among the altars in thechurchwere two dedicated
to St. Andrew and St. Catharine, a third dedicated
to St. Anne by the tailors of Edinburgh, and a
fourth by the Cordiners to St. Crispin, whose
statutes were placed upon it.
On the 18th of June, 1567, two days after the
imprisonment of Queen Mary, the Earl of Glencairn
and others, ?with a savage malignity, laid waste
this beautiful chapel,? broke in pieces its most
valuable furniture, and laid its statues and other
ornaments in ruins.
On the 18th of June, 1633, Charles I. was
crowned with great pomp in the abbey church and
amid the greatest demonstrations of loyalty, when
the silver keys of the city were delivered to him by
the Provost, after which they were never again
presented to a monarch until the time of George
IV. : but afterwards the religious services were
performed at Holyrood with great splendour, according
to the imposing ritual of the English
Church-? an innovation which the Presbyterians
beheld with indignation, as an insolent violation of
the laws of the land?
In 1687 the congregation of the Canongate were
removed from the church by order of James VII.,
and the abbey church-now named a chapelwas
richly decorated, and twelve stalls were placed
therein for the Knights of the Thistle. An old view
of the interior by Wyck and Mazell, taken prior
to the fall of the roof, represents it entire, with all
its groining and beautiful imperial crowns and
coronets on the drooping pendants of the interlaced
arches. They show the clerestory entire,
and within the nave the stalls of the knights, six
on each side. Each of these stalls had five steps,
and on each side a Corinthian column supported
an entablature of the same order, each surmounted
by two great banners and three trophies, each
composed of helmets and breastplates, making in
all twenty-four banners and thirty-six trophies over
the stalls. At the eastern end was the throne,
surmounted by an imperial crown. On each side
were two panels, having the crown, sword, and
sceptre within a wreath of laurel, and below, other
two panels, with the royal cypher, J.R., and the
crown. Wyck and Mazell show the throne placed
upon a lofty dais of seven steps, on six of which
were a unicorn and lion, making six of the former
on the right, and six of the latter on the left, all
crowned. Behind this rose a Corinthian canopy,
entablature, and garlands, all of carved oak, and
over all the royal arms as borne in Scotland ; the
crest of Scotland, the lion sejant; on the right the
ensign of St. Andrew; In defence on the left the ensign
of St. George. Amid a star of spears, swords,

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [~dpUCd. proper exertions been made for their repair and preservation, particularly by ...

Book 3 p. 58
(Score 0.48)

434 INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. ETC .
N
No . Page
Nairne. Sir William. Bart., Lord Dunsinnan
......................................... xci 217
Napier. Right Hon. Francis Lord .........o lx 404
Neil. Mr . Thomas. wright and precentor.
in the character of the “ Old Wife ”xcvi 230
Neilson. Mr . James ..................... xxxviii 89
Newton. Lord. on the bench ............l xxxiii 200
Nicol. Andrew. with a plan of his
Middenstead ........................... cxviii 290
Nicol. Andrew ................................. cxix 291
0
Ogilvy. Dr . Skene ........................... xxxv 76
Osborne. Alexander. Esq ............... cxxxviii 343
P
Page. Captain ................................. xiv 40
Paton. Mr . George. the antiquary ...... xcix 244
Paul. Rev. William. one of the ministers
of the West Church .................c. lxiii 414
Philosophers ................................... xxv 56
Pillans. Robert. one of the Captains of
the City Guard ........................... xv 41
Pilmer. Major ................................ clx 409
Pitcairn. George. one of the Captains of
41
Pratt. George. the town-crier ............l xxii 170
R
Rae. Sir David. of Eskgrove. Bart., Lord
Justice-clerk .............................. cxl 350
Rae. Mr . James. surgeon.dentist ......... clxvii 424
Retaliation ; or the Cudgellcr caught ... xlvii 99
Richardson. William ........................... iv 12
Ritchie. Adam ................................. xxxi 68
Robertson. George. one of the Captains
of the City Guard ....................... xv 41
Robertson. Principal. author of the “History
of Scotland” and “ Charles V.” xli 93
Robertson. Rev . William. D.D., in his
full clerical dress ........................ xlii 9’4
Robertson. Captain George. of the City
Guard ....................................... Ivi 118
Robertson. James. of Kincraigie ......... cxxiv 305
Ronaldson. Francis. Esq ...............c xxxviii 344
Rylance. Mr . Ralph ........................... xcii 220
the City Guard ........................... XY
Ross. David. Lord Ankerville .................. c 248
S
Sabbath Evening School. Dispersion
of a ....................................... cxliii 356
Scott, Mr . William ........................... clxii 411
Septemviri. the Sapient. King’s College.
Aberdeen ................................. xxxv 76
Shadows. Two .............................. cxxxii 323
Shiells. Mr . John. surgeon ..............c. lvii 397
Sibbald. Mr . James ........................... clxii 411
Siddons. Mn., in the character of “Lady
Randolph” ................................ lv 113
NO . Page
Skene. John .................................... cxix 291
Smellie. Mr . William. printer. F.R.S.
and F . A.S .............................. lxxxn 206
Smith. Dr . Adam. author of “The
Wealth of Nations ................. xxxiii 73
Smith. Dr . Adam. LL.D. and F.K.S.
of London and Edinburgh ......... xxxiv 75
Smith, George ................................. cvi 264
Sone. Samuel. of the 24th Regiment
Spottiswood. John. Esq .................
Stabilina. Hieronymo ........................ cxx 293
Steuart. Provost David ........................ xvi 42
Stirling. Sir James. Bart., Lord Provost.
Stirling. Sir James. Bart .............
Sutherland. Mr., in the character of
“Old Norval ......
Taplor. Quarter-Master ..................... xliii 95
Thom. Dr . William. Professor of Civil
Law in Eing’s College. Aberdeen ... xxxv 79
Thomson. Mr . Alexander .................. xlvi 98
Tony. Bailie James .......... ... xlix 105
Tremamondo. Angelo. E gmaster
.................................... xxxii 69
clxix 428
Tytler ................................ xxxviii 86
Vicars. Captain ................................ xiv 40
v
Voltaire. the French Philosopher ...... lxxxv 205
Volunteers. Royal Edinburgh ............ xcviii 236
w
Walker. Rev . Robert. one of the ministcrs
of the High Church ......... cxxxix 347
Walker. Mary ................................. cxix 291
Watson. Alexander. Esq . of Glenturkie .. clxiv 417
Watson. Alexander. Esq . of Glenturkie. .. clxv 118
Watson. Mr., an Edinburgh Messenger.lxxxv 206
Watson. Mungo. Beadle of Lady Yester’s
Church etc- ........................... cxxiii 304
.... cxii 274
Webster. Rev . Dr . Alexander. of the
Tolbooth Church ........................... x 2 8
White. Mr . Thomas. midshipman. at
the bar of the High Court of Justiciary
....................................... lxii 145
Williamson. Peter. author of “ Life and
Vicissitudes of Peter Williamson,”
etc ........................................... lix 131
Wood. &fr . Alexander. surgeon ..
Wood. Mr . Alexauder. surgeon ............l xix 164
Woods. Mrs., of the Theatre Royal ......... lv 117
Wesley. Rev . John
Wnght. Mr . John, lecturer on lam ...... cviii 268
Wright. Mr . John, advocate ...............c ix 270

... INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. ETC . N No . Page Nairne. Sir William. Bart., Lord ...

Book 8 p. 607
(Score 0.48)

123 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
so much so, that the publishers presented the author with two additional 6ums
of money, by way of compliment. Not long after its first publication, the
volume attracted the notice of George 111. and his consort--a portion of the
sermons, it is said, having been first read to their Majesties in the royal closet
by the eloquent Earl of Mansfield. So highly did their Majesties esteem the
merits of the author, that a pension of €200 was settled upon him. The
Doctor afterwards published other three volumes of sermons, all of which met
an equally flattering reception, and were translated into almost all the European
languages.
Upon occasion of the publication of Dr. Blair’s Lectures, Logan the poet
addressed a letter to Dr. Gilbert Stuart, at that time editor of the “English
Review and Political Herald,” from which the following beautiful extracts have
been taken : -
I need not
tell you that I am very much interested in the fate and fame of all his works.
Besides his literary merit, he hath borne his faculties so meekly in every situation,
that he is entitled to favour as well as candour. He has never with pedantic
authority opposed the career of other authors, but has, on the contrary, favoured
every literary attempt. He has never studied to push himself immaturely into
the notice of the world, but waited the call of the public for all his productions;
and now, when he retires from the republic of letters into the vale of ease, I
cannot help wishing success to Fingal’ in the last of his fields. * * * *
Your influence to give Dr. Blair his last passport to the public will be very
agreeable to the Ziterati here, and will be a particular favour done to me. It
will still farther enhance the obligation if you will write me such a letter as I
can show him, to quiet his fean.’’
Dr. Blair retired from the Professorship in 1788, in consequence of advanced
age, and in a few years afterwards found himself also unable to discharge the
duties of the pulpit. Such, however, was the vigour of his intellect, that in
1799, when past his eightieth year, he composed and preached one of the most
effective sermons he ever delivered, in behalf of the Fund for the Benefit of the
Sons of the Clergy, the subject of which was-“ The compassionate beneficence
of the Deity.”
In addition to his acquirements in theology and general literature, Dr. Blair
was intimately acquainted with some of the sciences ; while it may be worthy of
remark, he also indulged to a considerable extent in light reading. “The
Arabian Nights’ Entertainments,” and ‘‘ Don Quixote,” were among his especial
favourites. He was also an admirer of Mrs. Anne Radcliffe’s talents for romance,
and honoured Mr. Pratt’s ‘‘ Emma Corbett ” with particular praise. In Church
politics, although the Doctor took no active part, he was, like his intimate friend
Principal Robertson, a decided Moderate, and was zealous to adopt any means
of improving the worship of the Church of Scotland, where such could be done
This allusion, considering the share Dr. Blair had in bringing the worka of Ossian to light, is
“Dr. Blair’s Lectures are to be published sometime in spring.
extremely appropriate,

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. so much so, that the publishers presented the author with two additional 6ums of ...

Book 8 p. 178
(Score 0.48)

84 HEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
nobility. The simple eloge pronounced by the Regent over his grave, has been remembered
from its pointed force--“ There lies he who never feared the face of man.” The old churchyard
has long since been payed, and converted into the Parliament Bquare, and all evidence
of the spot lost. It cannot but excite surprise that no effort should have been made to
preserve the remains of the Reformer from such desecration, or to point out to posterity
the site of his resting-place.’ If the tradition mentioned by Chambers a may be relied upon,
that his burial place was a few feet from the front of the old pedestal of King Charles’s
statue, the recent change in the position of the latter must have placed it directly over his
grave ;-perhaps as strange a monument to the Great’ Apostle of Presbyterianism as fancy
could devise I
On the death of the Earl of Mar, Morton was elected Regent, and the brief truce
speedily brought to a close. Within two days thereafter, Kirkaldy sallied out of the
’ Castle towards evening, and set fire to the houses on the south side of the Castle rock ; a
strong wind was blowing at the time from the west, and the garrison of the Castle kept
’ up a constant cannonade, so as to prevent any succour being attempted, so that the whole
mass of houses was burnt down eastward to Magdalen Chapel,-a piece of useless cruelty,
that gained him many enemies, without answering any good purpose.
The EngIish Queen now sent Sir William Drury, with a body of troops and a train
of artillery, to assist the Regent in reducing the Castle, the last stronghold of the
adherents of Queen Mary. . The fortress was gallantly defended by Sir William Kirkaldy,
and the siege is perhaps one of the most memorable in its history. The narrative of an
eye-witness, given in Holinshed’s Chronicles, shows, even by its exaggerated descriptions,
the difficulties experienced by the besiegers. It is understood to have been written by
Thomas Churchyard, the poet, who was present at the siege, and has been reprinted in the
Bannatyne Miscellany, accompanied by aJemarkably interesting bird’s-eye view of the town
and Castle during the siege, engraved, as is believed, from a sketch made on the spot.
In anticipation of the siege, the citizens erected several strong defences of turf and
faggots, so as to protect the Church and Tolbooth. One is especially mentioned in the
Diurnal of Occurrents, 88 ‘ I biggit of diffet and rnik,’ betuix the thevis hoill, and Bess
Wynd, tua e h thick, and on the gait betuix the auld tolbuyth, and the vther syid tua
speir heicht.”’ About three weeks latet, on the 17th of January, ‘‘ the nobility, with
my Lord Regent, passed through St Giles’s Church, at an entrance made through the
Tolbooth wall to the laigh council-house of the town, on the west side of the Tolbooth,
and there choose the Lords of the Articles, and returned the same way. The Earl
of Angus bore the Crown, the Earl of Argyle the Sceptre, and the Earl of Morton the
Sword of Honour. These were made of brass, and double overgilt with gold, because
the principal jewels were in the Castle of Edinburgh, and might not be had.”6 So effectual
did these ramparts prove, that the Parliament assembled as safely in the Tolbooth, and
the people went as quietly to church, as they at any time did before the war began.e
The brave Captain, Sir Williarn Kirkaldy of Grange, was already short of provisions
. .
.
A few paces to the west of King Charles’s atatue, there has recently been placed 8 amall surface-bronzed stone in
the ground, with the iuitials “ J. K.,” indicating the Reformer’s burial-place. * Traditions, voL ii. p. 195. i.e., Turf and mud. ’ Diurnal of Occurrenta, p. 332.
Diurnal of Occurrenta, p. 324. Journal of the Siege, Bannatyne Misc., vol. ii. p. 74.

... HEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. nobility. The simple eloge pronounced by the Regent over his grave, has been ...

Book 10 p. 92
(Score 0.48)

THE CASTLE. 129
Mait.land’s time, and is divided into two stories by a floor which conceals the upper portion
of the chancel arch.
This chapel is, without doubt, the most ancient building now existing in Edinburgh,
and may, with every probability, be regarded as having been the place of worship of
the pious Queen Margaret, during her residence in the Castle, till her death in 1093. It
is in the same style, though of a plainer character, as the earliest portions of Holyrood
Abbey, begun in the year 1128; and it is worthy of remark, that the era of Norman
architecture is one in which many of the most interesting ecclesiastical edifices in the
neighbourhood of Edinburgh were founded, including Holyrood Abbey, St Giles’s Church,
and the parish churches of Duddingston, Ratho, Kirkliston, and Dalmeny, all of which,
with the exception of St Giles’s Church, still contain interesting remains of that era.l
The present garrison chapel is almost entirely a modern building, though including in its
walls portions of a former edifice of considerable antiquity. Immediately north of this is
the King’s Bastion, or mortar battery, upon which is placed the famous old cannon, MONS
MEG. This ancient national relic, which is curiously constructed of iron staves and hoops,
was removed to the Tower of London in 1754, in consequence of an order from the Board
of Ordnance to the governor to send thither all unserviceable cannon in the Castle. It lay
there for seventy years, until it was restored to Scotland by George IV., in 1829, mainly
in consequence of the intercessions of Sir Walter Scott. The form of its ancient wooden
carriage is represented on the sculptured stone, already described, over the entrance of the
Ordnance Office, but that having broken down shortly after its return to Scotland, it has
since been mounted on an elegant modern carriage of cast-iron. On this a series of inscriptions
have been introduced, embodying the usually received traditions as to its history,
which derive the name from its supposed construction at Mons, in Flanders. There is good
reason, however, for believing that local repute has erred on this point, and that this
famous piece of artillery is a native of the land to which all its traditions belong. The evidence
for*this interesting fact was first communicated in a letter from that diligent antiquary,
Mr Train, to Sir Walter Scott, and affords proof, from the local traditions of Galloway, that
this huge piece of ordnance was presented to James 11. in 1455, by the M‘Lellans, when he
arrived with an army at Carlingwark, to besiege William Earl of Douglas, in the Castle
of Threave. We have compressed into a note the main facts of this interesting communication
respecting the pedigree of Mons Meg, which Sir Walter thus unhesitatingly attests
in his reply : “ You have traced her propinquity so clearly, as henceforth to set all conjecture
aside.” a
Our attention waa first directed to this chapel by being told, in answer to our inquiries after the antiquities of the
Castle, that a font still existed in a cellar to the west of the garrison chapel ; it proved, on inspection, to be the socket
of one of the chancel pillara. In further confirmation of the early date we are disposed to aasign to this chapel, we may
remark that the building gifted by David I. to his new Abbey, is styled in all the earlier charters, EccZesiu-‘‘ concedimus
ecclesiam, scilicet Caatelli cum omnibus appendiciis,”-a deacription we can hardly conceive referable to so small a
chapel, while thoae of Corstorphine and Libberton are merely C‘apeZZo,4ependencies of the Church of St Cuthbedand
neither the style of this building, nor the probability derived from the practice of the period, admit of the idea that
so small a chapel would be erected apart from the church after its completion.
In “ The inventare of golden and silver werk being in the Castell of Edinburgh,” 8th Nov. 1543, the following items
occur :-“The Chapell geir of silver ouregilt, ane croce of silver with our Lady and Sanct John,-Tua chandleris,-ane
chalice and ane patine,4ne halie watter fatt,” &c., &c., all “of silver ouregilt. Ane croce of
dver,-tua chandleris of silver,-ane bell of silver,-ane halie watter fatt, with the stick of silver,4ne mise of silver
for the mess breid, with the cover,” &c.-Inventory of Royal Wardrobe, &c., 4t0, Edinburgh, 1815, p. 112.
Joseph Train, p. 200.-The Earl of Douglas having seized Sir Patrick M‘Lellan,
’
Chapell geir ungiltc
’ Contemporaries of Burns.
B

... CASTLE. 129 Mait.land’s time, and is divided into two stories by a floor which conceals the upper ...

Book 10 p. 140
(Score 0.48)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 30 1
In discharging the private duties of his profession, no individual could be
more zealous than Dr. Hunter. The great aim of his life seemed to be in every
possible way to extend the knowledge and practice of true religion. To all the
religious and charitable institutions of Edinburgh he contributed largely from
his own substance ; and wide and judicious was the range of his private beneficence.
Both in his pastoral conduct and in the discharge of his duties as a
Professor of Theology, no individual could be more completely divested of
bigotry or party spirit. He judged of others by himself; and uniformly gave
credit to those who were opposed to him on minor points of religious opinion,
or as to questions of church polity, for the same integrity and purity of intention
by which his own conduct was governed. By his brethren he was much
respected ; and his well-known candour procured every attention to his opinions
in the church courts.'
In the following quotation the character of Dr. Hunter has been drawn
by one who knew him intimately, and whose judgment may well be considered
no slight authority :-" Eut shall I not mention the known integrity and purity
of his mind-the candour and sincerity which so eminently distinguished him
through life, and which ever commanded the confidence of those who differed
from him most in judgment-the fair, and open, and generous spirit which he
invariably discovered, when he judged of other men, or acted with them--the
scorn with which he ever contemplated an unfair, an uninterested, a disingenuous
proceeding-the mildness of his temper, of which, by the grace of God he had
acquired the entire command ; and (what can certainly be said of few amongst
us all), which was scarcely ever known to have been roused into passion, either
in public or domestic life-the earnestness and godly sincerity with which he
followed every good work, and co-operated with other men whom he believed
to be sincerely disposed to be useful ; with no shade of worldly selfishness to
pervert his conduct ; without ostentation ; superior to envy, and superior to
pride ; gentle and forbearing with all men ; but firm and immovable where he
saw his duty before him ; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." In the private
relations of life few men could be more estimable. He was one of the kindest
of husbands-an affectionate parenGand the most attached of friends.
At a period of life when actively employed in discharging the duties of his
profession and in the full enjoyment of health, on returning from the sacramental
services at Leith, he was suddenly seized with inflammation, and died, after
a few days' illness, on the 21st of April 1809. The closing scene of his life was
as exemplary and instructive as his whole previous conduct had been ; and he
looked upon his approaching dissolution with all the calmness, resignation, and
hope, which a well-spent life can inspire. Funeral sermons were preached on
the occasion by his colleague the P&v. Dr. Simpson, and the Rev. Sir Henry
Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart.; and most gratifying tributes of respect were paid
to his memory by almost all the clergy of the city.
He was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly in 1792.

... SKETCHES. 30 1 In discharging the private duties of his profession, no individual could be more ...

Book 8 p. 421
(Score 0.48)

ECCLESIASTICAL ANTIQUITIES. 381
others. The pillars are decorated with foliated capitals, elaborately finished with sculptured
shields and angels’ heads ; the shafts are fluted according to a regular and beautiful
design, and their bases are enriched with foliated sculpture ; while the other pillars of the
choir are plain octagons, with their capitals formed by a few simple mouldings. The arching
and groining, moreover, of this extended portion of the aisles entirely differs from the
western and earlier part ; for whereas the latter are formed of concentric arches springing
from four sides and meeting in one keystone, so that the top of the windows can
reach no higher than the spring of the arch, the former is constructed on the more nsual
plan of a goined roof, running across the aisle, and admitting of the two eastmost windows
on each side rising nearly to the top of the arch. No less obvious proofs are discoverable of
the addition of the clerestory at the same period. There are flaws remaining in the
lower part of its walk, marking distinctly how far the old work has been taken down.
A slight inclination outward, in part of the wall immediately above the pillars, shows
that the roof of the choir had corresponded in height with the old nave ; and portions of
the original groining springing from the capitals of the pillars still remain, only partially
chiselled away. The extreme beauty of the clerestory groining, and its remarkably rich
variety of bosses, all furnish abdndant evidence of its being the work of a later age than
the other parts of the building. On €he centre boss, at the division of the two eastmost
compartments of the ceiling, is the monogram fQ$, boldly cut on a large shield; and on
the one next to it westward, the following legend is neatly arranged round a carved
centre in bold relief :-%be + gCil .. pbl . bnpl + teCU +-an abbreviation evidently of the
salutation of the Virgin,-Ave Maria, gratia p Zena, dominus tecum,-though from ita
height, and the contractions necessary to bring it within such circumscribed dimensions,
it is not easily deciphered. These, it is probable, stood directly over the site of the high
altar, which does not appear to have been removed from its original position at the east
end of the old choir upon its enlargement and elongation in the fifteenth century, as we
find that Walter Bertrame, burgess of Edinburgh, by a charter dated December 20, 1477,
founded a chaplainry at ‘‘ the Altar of St fiancia, situate behind the Great Altar,” and
endowed it with various annual rents from property in Edinburgh and Leith.l
Another striking feature of the additions made to St Giles’s Church in the fifteenth
century, is the numerous heraldic devices introduced among the ornaments, which afford
striking confirnation as to the period when they were executed., The north-east, or King’s
Pillar, as it is generally called, of which we have already given a view; bears on the east
and west sides the royal arms of Scotland ; on the north side those of May of Gueldersthe
Queen of James 11. and the founder of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinityimpaled
with the royal arms ; and on the south side the arms of France. James II. succeeded
to the throne, a mere child, in 1438, and was killed by the bursting of a cannon at
the siege of Roxburgh Castle in 1460 ; and the remaining armorial bearings afford further
proof of the erection of this addition to the church between these two periods. On the opposite
pillar there are, on the south side, the arms of the good town ; and on the west those
of Bishop Remedy, the cousin of James IL and his able and faithful councillor, who was
promoted to the metropolitan see in 1440, and died in 1466. The other arms are those
of Nicolson, and Preston of Craigmillar. On the engaged pillar, on the north side of the
Maitland, p. 271. Inventar of Pious Donations. MS. Ad. Lib. ’ Ante, p. 24.

... ANTIQUITIES. 381 others. The pillars are decorated with foliated capitals, elaborately finished ...

Book 10 p. 418
(Score 0.48)

224 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
All who chose to come were welcome ; and many students were in the habit of
attending, to profit by his instructions, and obtain his advice, ever readily
extended, as to the prosecution of their studies.
A characteristic feature in Dr. Colquhoun was an unvarnished sincerity and
simplicity of manner. These natural traits, possessed even to a fault, and
probably increased by his seclusive habits, led him sometimes into positions
which the exercise of a due degree of prudence would have avoided. The
unhappy misunderstanding with his congregation, towards the close of his life,
respecting the appointment of an assistant, and which had nearly the effect of
breaking up the Church, was an instance of injudicious policy, if not questionable
feeling, which even his advanced age could scarcely palliate.
Several rather amusing anecdotes are told, illustrative of his exceeding
severity of religious sentiment. Oh the laying the foundation stone of the New
Church of North Leith, which was done with masonic honours, his venerable
contemporary, Dr. Johnston, as a principal party concerned in the new erection,
very appropriately presided at the dinner given in the evening. After the cloth
had been withdrawn, and the glass in circulation, a song happened to be called
for by one of the company. Dr, Colquhoun instantly rose, and addressing the
chair, protested in strong terms against indulging in such mirth, declaring that
prayer was more suitable to the occasion than a profane song. To this his Rev.
friend good-humouredly replied by observing that “ everything is beautiful in
its season,” and not only assented to the call for a song, but to the delight of
the company, set the example himself, by immediately singing a favourite old
Scottish ditty.
For several years before his death Dr. Colquhoun had been unable to preach
regularly. He appeared for the last time in the pulpit on the forenoon of the
18th November 1826. He survived, however, till the 27th of November next
year. He was interred in the churchyard of South Leith, and his funeGa1 sermon
was preached by Dr. Jones, of Lady Glenorchy’s Chapel, one of his earliest and
most attached friends.
Dr. Colquhoun is known as an author by the publication of various works.
The first, “A Treatise on Spiritual Comfort,” appeared in 1813 : another, “ On
the Law and the Gospel,” in 1815 : ‘‘ On the Covenant of Grace,” in 1818 :
“ A Catechism for the Instruction and Direction of Young Communicants,” in
1821 : “On the Covenant of Works,” in 1822 : “A View of Saving Faith,
from the Sacred Records,” 1824 : “A Collection of the Promises of the Gospel,
arranged under their proper Heads, with Reflections and Exhortations deduced
from them,” 1825 : and lastly, in 1826, “A View of Evangelical Repentance
from the Sacred Records.” A small posthumous volume of “ Sermons, chiefly
on Doctrinal Subjects,” with a memoir of the author, was published by J. and
D. Collie in 1836.
Dr. Colquhoun was twice married, but had no children.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. All who chose to come were welcome ; and many students were in the habit of attending, ...

Book 9 p. 298
(Score 0.47)

Manor Place.] HAYMARKET STATION. 213
A shot fired from the belfry apprised the multi-
&de far down below of the close of the ceremony,
and immediately the choir, along with other officials
of ?the church in surplices stationed in the garden,
sung the hymn ?Praise ye the Lord, ye Heavens
in the nave and clerestory bear the arms of many
ancient Scottish families,
Away to the westward of the quarter we have
described, at the delta of the old Glasgow and
Dalry roads, where for several generations stood
ST. MAPY7S CATHEDRAL, INTERIOR VIEW. (Fpom a Phofosrnph by G. W. Wikm ad Co., ACrdem.)
by the Lord Provost.
Sir Gilbert Scott did not live to see the completion
of this cathedral, which is one of the many
lasting monuments of his skill as an architect.
Among the gifts to the cathedral are a peal of ten
bells presented by Dean Montgomery ; the great
from Glasgow by wings upon the two roads, formed
a junction and halted, while the officers had breakfast
or dinner before pushing on to the Castle by
the Lang Dykes and latterly by Princes Street and ,
the Earthern Mound-is the Haymarket Railway
Station, the first or original terminus of the Edin

... Place.] HAYMARKET STATION. 213 A shot fired from the belfry apprised the multi- &de far down below of ...

Book 4 p. 213
(Score 0.47)

164 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and whose memory he held in the highest respect. But not relishing the
profession of the law, even although its elements were to be imbibed from 80
respectable a source, he turned his attention to the Church ; and his family being
of the Scottish Episcopalian persuasion, he was some time after admitted to
orders, and appointed curate, first at Long Houghton, and next at Long Horseley,
in Northumberland, a living worth about S30 a year. He appears also to
have officiated for a short time as a chaplain of a regiment. From his connections,
and particularly from his relationship to Mr. Fox, he had a fair prospect
of advancement in the Church j and, in point of fact, a rectory was at an early
period within his reach. But it is to be presumed that some pecuniary consideration
was exacted as the condition of this preferment. On repairing to
London to make the necessary arrangements, being required prior to induction
to take the customary oaths, he declined, from conscientious motives, and
afterwards retired into private life.
For a long time after the death of his father, Dr. Turnbull's income from
his estates was of limited amount ; but, being a man of frugal and economical
habits, his expenditure never exceeded his means : and with reference to this
period of his life, he used jocularly to say, that he always took care to keep
five pounds between him and the devil. Until latterly, his usual place of
residence was London, where he passed the greater part of his time, living
among his respectable relations, except when he visited his friends in Scotland,
which he generally did once a year. In the metropolis he had ample opportunities
of mixing in the best society, and of making the acquaintance of
persons of distinction or celebrity ; among the most noted of whom we may
mention Prince Talleyrand and Mr. Munro, President of the United States of
America.
Although his family were non-jurors, and as such friendly to the exiled
house of Stuart, Dr. Turnbull, at an early period of life, attached himself to
the party and the political principles of Mr. Fox, for whom he entertained the
highest admiration, and continued throughout life a steadfast and uncompromising
friend to the. liberty and improvement of mankind. Among men who
consider lukewarmness a proof of wisdom, Dr. Turnbull may have been thought
a violent politician ; and he was undoubtedly a warm admirer of the American
and French revolutions-of the former absolutely, and of the latter until it
degenerated into anarchy and military despotism ; but benevolence formed the
basis of his political creed, as well as of his personal character; and hence,
although many dissented from his opinions, none that knew disliked the man.
In Edinburgh, where he was well known, his circle of acquaintance was most
extensive j and few persons who have moved in general society were ever held
in greater esteem.
Among his friends and acquaintances in Scotland were Lord Panmure and
Mr. Ferqsson of Raith j and to both he was warmly attached. For the last
fifteen years of his life,' Dr. Turnbull resided at Alnwick, near to where he
had, in early life, officiated as curate. Till age and infirmity prevented him,

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. and whose memory he held in the highest respect. But not relishing the profession of ...

Book 9 p. 221
(Score 0.47)

Leith.] ST. JAMES?S CHAPEL. 243
CHAPTER XXVII.
LEITH-CONSTITUTION STREET, THE SHORE, COAL HILL, AND SHERIFF BRAE.
Constitution Street-Pirates Executed-St. James?s Episcopal Church-Town H a l l S t . John?s Church-Exchange Buildings-Head-quarten of
the Leith Rifle Volunteen4ld Signal-Tower-The Shore-Old and New Ship Taverns--The Markets-The Coal Hill-Ancient Council
House-The Peat Ne&-Shim Bme-Tibbie Fowler of the Glen-St. Thomas?s Church and Asylum-The Gladstone Family-Creat
Junction Road.
CONSTITUTION STREET, which lies parallel to, and
eastward of the Kirkgate, nearly in a line with the
eastern face of the ancient fortifications, is about
2,500 feet in lehgth, and soon after its formation
was the scene of the last execution within what is
termed (? flood-mark.? The doomed prisoners were
two foreign seamen, whose crime and sentence
excited much interest at the time.
Peter Heaman and Francois Gautiez were accused
of piracy and murder in seizing the briglane
of Gibraltar, on her voyage from that place to
the Brazils, freighted with a valuable cargo, including
38,180 Spanish dollars, and in barbarously
killing Johnson the master, and Paterson a seaman,
and confining Smith and Sinclair, two other
seamen, in the forecastle, where they tried to suffocate
them with smoke, but eventually compelled
them to assist in navigating the vessel, which they
. afterwards sank off the coast of Ross-shire. They
landed the specie in eight barrels on the Isle of
Lewis, where they were apprehended.
This was in thesummer of 1822, and they were,
after a trial before the Court of Justiciary, sentenced
by the Judge-Admiral to be executed on the 9th of
? the subsequent January, ?on the sands of Leith,
within the flood-mark, and their bodies to be afterwards
given to Dr. Munro for dissection.?
On the day named they were conveyed from the
Calton gaol, under a strong escort of the dragoon
.guards, accompanied by the magistrates of the city,
who had white rods projecting from the windows of
the carriages in which they sat, to a gibbet erected
? at the foot of Constitution Street-oi raiher, the
. northern continuation thereof-and there hanged.
Heaman was a native of Carlscrona, in Sweden ;
Gautiez wa8 a Frenchman. The bodies were put
4 in coffins, and conveyed by a corporal?s escort of
? dragoons to the rooms of the professor of anatomy.
During the execution the great bell of South Leith
church was ttilled with minute strokes, and the
papers of the day state that ? the crowd of spectators
was immense, particularly cn the sands, being little
short of from forty to fifty thousand; but, owing to
the excellent manner in which everything was
In 1823 the same thoroughfare witnessed another
legal punishment, when Thomas Hay, who had
- arranged, not the slightest accident happened.?
been tried and convicted of an attempt at assassination,
was flogged through the town by the common
executioner, and banished for fourteen years.
Between Constitution Street and the Links stands
St. James?s Episcopalian church, an ornate edifice
in the Gothic style, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott,
having a fine steeple, containing a chime of bells,
It was built in 1862-3, succeeding a previous chapel
of 1805 (erectedatthe cost ofx1,6ro)on an adjacent
site (of which a view is given on p. 240), and to which
attention was frequently drawn from the literary
celebrity of its minister, Dr. Michael Russell, the
author of a continuation o? Prideaux?s Connection
of Sacred and Profane History,? and other works.
According to h o t , the congregation had an origin
that was not uncommon in the eighteenth century,
when the persecution
was set on foot against those of the Episcopal
communion in Scotland who did not take the
oaths required by law, the meeting-house in Leith
was shut up by the sheriff of the county. Persons
of this persuasion being thus deprived of the form
of worship their principles approved, brought from
the neighbouring country Mr. John Paul, an English
clergyman, who opened this chapel on the 23rd
June, 1749. It is called St. James?s chapel. Till
of late the congregation only rented it, but within
these few years they purchased it for Azoo. The
clergyman has about L60 a year salary, and the
organist ten guineas. These are paid out of the
seat rents, collections, and voluntary contributions
among the hearers. It is, perhaps, needless to add
that there are one or more meeting-houses for
sectaries in this place (Leith), for in Scotland there
are few towns, whether of importance! or insighificant,
whether populous or otherwise, where there
are not congregations of sectaries.?
The congregation of St. James?s chapel received,
in about the year 1810, the accession of a nonjuring
congregation of an earlier date, says a writer
in 1851, referring, doubtless, to that formed in the
time of the Rev. Mr. Paul.
The Leith Post Office is at the corner of Mitchell
and Constitution Streets; it was built in 1876, is
very small, and in a rather meagre Italian style.
The Town Hall, which is at the corner of Constitution
and Charlotte Streets, was built in 1827, at a
After the battle of Culloden,

... ST. JAMES?S CHAPEL. 243 CHAPTER XXVII. LEITH-CONSTITUTION STREET, THE SHORE, COAL HILL, AND SHERIFF ...

Book 6 p. 243
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Luriston.1 GEORGE HERIOT. 363
diameter and 22 feet high; one school-room, 52
feet long by 26 wide ; and two others of 42 feet by
24; with, on the upper floors, the nursery, bed-rooms,
music, store and governesses? rooms. The building
was opened in 1819, and two years after contained
80 girls, its annual revenue being then about
E3,ooo sterling.
In 187 I another hospital for the girls was erected
elsewhere, and the edifice described was appropriated
for the use of George Watson?s College
Schools, with an entrance from Archibald Place.
The design of these schools is to provide boys
with a liberal education, qualifying them for CMrnercial
or professional life, and for the universities.
Their course of study includes the classics,
English, French, and German, and all the other
usual branches of a most liberal education, together
with chemistry, drill, gymnastics, and fencing. The
number of foundationers has Seen reduced to 60,
at least one fourth of whom are elected by competitive
examination from boys attending this and the
other schools of the Merchant Company, and boys
attending these schools have the following benefits,
viz. I : A presentation to one of the foundations of
this, or Stewart?s Hospital, tenable for six years j
2. A bursary, on leaving the schools of 6 . 5 yearly
for four years.
The foundationers are boarded in a house belonging
to the governors, with the exception of
those who are boardedwith families in the city.
When admitted, they must be of the age of nine,
and not above fourteen years. On leaving each is
allowed f;7 for clothes; he may rsceive for five
years LIO annually; and on attaining the age of
twenty-five a further sum of A50, to enable him
to commence business in Edinburgh.
The Chalmers Hospital, at the south side of the
west end of huriston Place, is a large edifice, in a
plain Italian style, and treats annually about 180
in-door, and over 2,500 out-door patients. It was
erected in 1861. George Chalmers, a plumber
in Edinburgh, who died on the 10th of March,
1836, bequeathed the greater part of his fortune,
estimated at ~30,000, for the erection and the
endowment of this ;?Hospital for the Sick and
Hurt.?
The management of the charity is in the hands
of the ,Dean and Faculty of Advocates, who, after
allowing the fund to accumulate for some years, in
conformity to the will of the founder, erected the
building, which was fully opened for patients in
1864; and adjoining it is the new thoroughfare
called Chalmers Street.
The Lauriston Place United Presbyterian church,
a large and handsome Gothic structure at the
corner of Portland Place, was built in 1859 ; and
near it, in Lauriston Gardens, is theCatholic convent
of St. Catharine of Sienna-the same saint to
whom the old convent at the Sciennes was devoted-
built in 1859, by the widow of Colonel
Hutchison. It is in the regular collegiate style,
and the body of the foundress is interred in the
grounds attached to it, where stands an ancient
thorn-tree coeval with the original convent
CHAPTER XLIII.
GEORGE HERIOT?S HOSPITAL AND THE GREYFRIARS CHURCH.
Notice of George Heriot-Dies Chiidless-His Will-The Hospital founded-I& Progrw-The Master Masons-Opened-Number of Scholars
-Dr. Balcanquall-Alterations-The Edifice-The Architecture of it-Heriot?s Day and Infant Schools in the City-Lunardik Balloon
Ascent-Royai Edinburgh Volunteers-The Heriot Brewery-Old Greyfriars Church-The Covenant-The CromwcllLms-The Conrunting
Prhonern-The Martyrs? Tomb-New Greyfriars-Dr. Wallace-Dr. Robertson-Dr. ErskinAld Tombs in the Chorch-Gmt by
Queen Mary-Morton Interred-State of the Ground in 177g-The Graves of Buchanan and others--Bona from St Gda?s Church.
AMONG the many noble charitable institutions of
which Edinburgh may justly feel proud one of the
most conspicuous is Heriot?s Hospital, on the
north side of Lahriston-an institution which, in
object and munificence. is not unlike the famous
Christ?s Hospital in the English metropolis.
Of the early history of George Heriot, who, as a
jeweller and goldsmith was the favourite and
humble friend of James VI. and who was immortalised
in one way by Scott in the ?Fohnes of
Nigel,?.? but scanty records remain,
He is said to have been a branch of the Heriots
of Trabroun, in East Lothian, and was born at
Edinburgh in June, 1563, during the reign of
Mary, and in due time he was brought up to the
profession of a goldsmith by his father, one of the
craft, and a man of some consideration in the city,
for which he sat as Commissioner more thanonce
in Parliament. A jeweller named George Heriot,
who was frequently employed by Jarnes V., as the
Treasury accounts show, was most likely the elder
Heriot, to whose business he added that of a
.

... GEORGE HERIOT. 363 diameter and 22 feet high; one school-room, 52 feet long by 26 wide ; and two ...

Book 4 p. 363
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336 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
year he took the degree of Master of Arts at Cambridge, where he visited his
old friends ; and, as wintep drew on again, retired to the seat of his family in
Shropshire.
Although maintaining views and conduct somewhat different from the Church
of England, he was unwilling to be altogether without the pale of the Establishment.
After considerable address, and through the good offices of his friends,
he was at length assured of being admitted to orders. In the meantime, another
important matter was also about to be concluded. Having gone to London for
the purpose, he was married at Mary-le-Bone Church, on the 23d May 1773, to
Miss Tudway, a relative of his own ; and immediately thereafter, having gone
down to Somersetshire with Mrs. Hill, he was ordained Deacon by the Bishop of
Bath and Wells. His title to orders was the parish of Kingston, and his stipend
forty pounds a year. This event is recorded thus in his own words :-'' On
Trinity Sunday, June 6, through the kind and unexpected interposition of
Providence was I ordained by the Eishop of Bath and Wells, without anypromise
OT condition whatever.'' He was not permitted, however, to get into full orders.
In a subsequent attempt to attain to the priestship, the Bishop of Carlisle
refused him, on the ground of his continued irregularities.
Having only officiated once or twice at Kingston, he renewed his former
excursions, generally accompanied by Mrs. Hill. About this period, 1'7'74, he
built a house and chapel at Wotton, in Gloucestershire, not far from the banks
of the Severn, and with a complete view of the Welsh mountains to the left.
This romantic and beautiful spot became his favourite resort ; and, even after his
settlement in London, continued to be his summer residence.
In 1775, he was frequently engaged in preaching in London and the neighbourhood.
One night, when travelling in his phaeton, accompanied by Mrs.
Hill, he was attacked by two or three fellows, who demanded his money. The
same party had a few minutes before robbed his assistant, Mr. Whiteford, who
was a short way in advance in his gig. When the robbers came to Mr. Hill,
he set up such a tremendous unearthly shout, that one of them cried, "We
have stopped the devil by mistake, and had better be off !"-upon which they
all ran away. This anecdote M.r. Hill used to laugh and tell himself; and his
biographer says it probably gave rise to " the foolish story of his taking a robber
into his service."
After continuing for several years to preach for a given period alternately in
London, Bristol, and his own little chapel at Wotton, his fame had so much
increased in the metropolis that his friends were desirous df erecting a settled
place of worship for him there. Accordingly, in 1783, the Surrey Chapel, in
St. George's Fields, was erected; at the head of the directors of which was his
brother Richard. London now became his settled place of residence, but he
still reserved a part of every year to visit Wotton, and to make excursions to
other parts of the country. The Surrey Chapel soon became a place of notoriety,
to which many flocked through curiosity, and no doubt others from better
motives. The mode of worship adopted was strictly Episcopalian. Aided by

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. year he took the degree of Master of Arts at Cambridge, where he visited his old ...

Book 8 p. 470
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170 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
is," said Lord Douglas, " but my butler teIls me it is not good."-" Let's pree't,"
said Braxfield, in his favourite dialect. A bottle of the claret having been
instantly produced and circulated, all present were unanimous in pronouncing
it excellent. '' I propose," said the facetious old judge, addressing himself to
Dr. M'Cubbin, the parish clergyman, who was present, "as a fama clanosa
has gone forth against this wine, that you absolve it."--" I know," replied the
Doctor, at once perceiving the allusion to Church-court phraseology, " that
you are a very good judge in cases of civil and criminal law ; but I see you do
not understand the laws of the Church. We Eever absolve till after three several
appearances!" Nobody could relish better than Lord Braxfield the wit or the
condition of absolution.
After a laborious and very useful life, Lord Braxfield died on the 30th of May
1799, in the 78th year of his age. He was twice married. By his first wife,
Miss Mary Agnew, niece of the late Sir Andrew Agnew, he had two sons and
two daughters. By his second wife, Miss Elizabeth Ord, daughter of the late
Lord Chief-Baron Ord, he had no children.
His eldest son, Robert Dundas M'Queen, inherited the estate of Braxfield,
and married Lady Lilias Montgomery, daughter of the late Earl of Eglinton.
The second entered the army, and was latterly a Captain in the 18th Regiment of
Foot. The eldest daughter, Mary, was married to William Honyman, Esq.
of Graemsay, afterwarda elevated to the bench by the title of Lord Annandale,
and created a Baronet in 1804. The second, Catherine, was married to John
Macdonald, Esq. of Clanronald.
No. LXXII.
GEORGE PRATT (THE TOWN-CRIER).
THIS person was Town-Crier of Edinburgh about the pear 1784, and made
himself remarkable for the manner of his address in discharging the duties of
his office. This singularity consisted in an extremely pompous delivery, which
proceeded from the very high opinion he entertained of the importance and
dignity of his situation as a public officer.
Deeply imbued with this sentiment, George gave forth his intimations to the
inhabitants-it might be to announce the arrival of a fresh supply of skate-with
an air and manner at once extremely imposing and edifying. It is painful to add,
however, that he utterly failed in impressing the boys of the town with the same
respect for his person and his office that he entertained himself. So far from
this, the irreverent young rogues took every opportunity of annoying him. They
laughed at his dignity, and persecuted him with the cry of " Quack, quack !"-a
monosyllable which was particularly offensive to his ears. This cry @as sometimes
varied into " Swallow's nest, " a phrase which he also abominated, as it made an
allusion to a personal deformity. Thia was a large excrescence, or wen, that
grew beneath his chin.
.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. is," said Lord Douglas, " but my butler teIls me it is not good."-" ...

Book 8 p. 240
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28 MEMORIAL S OF EDlNB UR GH.
ings of red and blue, with a canopy of state, of cloth of gold. “ Ther wer also in the sum
chmmr a rich 6ed of astat, and the Lord Gray served the King with water for to wash,
and the Earle of Huntley berred the towalle ! ” The commons testified their sympathy
by bonfires and other tokens of public rejoicing, while dancing, music, and feasting, with
coursing, joustings, and the like pastimes of the age, were continued thereafter during
many days, “ and that done, every man went his way,” the Earl of Surrey,with the chivalry
of England, to bide their second meeting on the field of Flodden.
This propitious alliance-which, notwithstanding the disastrous period that intervened,
ultimately led to the permanent union of the two kingdoms-was celebrated by Dunbar in
his beautiful allegory of “ The Thrissil and the %is,’’ a poem, notwithstanding its obsolete
language, scarcely surpassed in beauty by anything written since. “ At this time,”
says its excellent biographer, ‘‘ Dunbar appears to have lived on terms of great familiarity
with the King, and to have participated freely in all the gaieties and amusements of
the Scottish Court; his sole occupation being that of writing ballads on any passing
event, and thus contributing to the entertainment of his royal master.’ From several of
his writings, as well as from “ The Flyting ” with his poetic rival Walter Remedy, many
curious local allusions may be gleaned. One satirical poem, an “ Address to the Merchants
of Edinburgh,” is particularly interesting for our present object, conveying a most graphic,
though somewhat highly-coloured picture of the Scottish capital at this period.’ ‘‘ The
principal streets crowded with stalls-the confused state of the different markets-the
noise and cries of the fishwomen, and of -other persons retailing their wares round the
cross-the booths of trade& crowded together ‘ like a honeycomb,’ near the church of St
Giles, which was then, and continued till within a very recent period, to be disfigured
with mean md paltry buildings, stuck round the buttresses of the church-the outer stairs
of the houses projecting into the street-the swarm of beggars-the common minatrek,
whose skill was confined to one or two hackneyed tunes-all together form the subject
of a highly graphic and interesting delineation.”
TO THE MERCHANTS OF EDINBURGH.
Quhy will ye, Meqchauta of renoun,
Let Edinburgh, your noble bun,
For lak of reformation
The common profit tyne and fame 1
That ony other region
Sal1 with dishonour hurt your name!
Think ye nocht schame,
May nane pass throw your principal gates,
For stink of haddocks and of scatea ;
For cries of carlings and debates ;
For sensum flyttinga of defame :
Think ye nocht schame,
Before strangers of all estates
That sic dishonour hurt your name !
Dunbar, by D. Laing, 1834, vol. i. p. 23. 8 Ibid, p. 32.

... MEMORIAL S OF EDlNB UR GH. ings of red and blue, with a canopy of state, of cloth of gold. “ Ther wer also in ...

Book 10 p. 30
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L UCKENBOOTHS AND PARLIAMENT CLOSE. 201
and humour that led Burns to style him ‘‘ a birkie wee1 worth gowd,” and made him a
favourite among the large circle of eminent men who adorned the Scottish capital in the
eighteenth century. ITe died in 1815, only two years before the interesting old land,
which bore his name for nearly half a century, was levelled with the ground.
A carefully engraved view of Creech’s Land is attached to the edition of his “ Fugitive
Pieces,” published by his successor soon after his death, An outside stair at the north
corner, which formerly gave access, according to the usual style of the older houses, to
Allan Ramsay’s library, on the first floor, had been removed about €en years before, but
the top of the doorway appears in the view as a small window. The laigh shop, which
occupied the subterranean portion of this curious building, is worthy of mention here.
Although such a dungeon ae would barely sufEce for the cellarage of a modern tradesman,
it was for many years the button warehouse of Messrs T. & A. Hubheson, extensive and
wealthy traders, who, in the bad state of the copper coinage,-when even George 111.
hdfpennies would not pass current in Scotland,-produced a coinage of Edinburgh halfpennies
that were universally received. They were of excellent workmanship ; bearing
on one side the city arms, boldly struck, and on the other the figure of St Andrew. They
continued in common use until the Close of the last century, when a new copper coinage
was introduced from the Mint. Since then they have graddally disappeared, and are now
rarely to be met with except in the cabinets of the curious.
At the entrance to the narrow passage on the south side of this old land,-called the
Krames, from the range of little booths stuck against the walls and buttresses of St
Giles’s Church,-there formerly existed a flight of steps known by the name of “ Our
Lady Steps; from a statue of the Virgin that had once occupied a plain Gothic niche
in the north-east angle of the church. An old gentlewoman is mentioned in the ‘‘ Traditions of Edinburgh,” who died about 1802, at the age of ninety, and who remembered
having seen both the statue and steps in her early days. The existence of the statue at
so recent a period, we suspect, must be regarded as an error of memory. It is scarcely
conceivable that an image of the Virgin, occupying so prominent a position, could escape
the fury of the Reforming mobs of 1559.l The niche, however, remained, an interesting
memorial of other times, till it fell a sacrifice to the tasteless uniformity of modern
Jeaut8m-s in 1829.
The New Tolbooth, or Council House, has already been frequently alluded to, and its site
described in the course of the work.’ It was attached to the west wall of St Giles’s Church,
and at some early period there had existed a means of communication with it from the
upper floors, as appeared by an arch that remained built up in the party wall.s A
covered passage led through it into the Parliament Close, forming the only Bccess to the latter
from the west. From the period of the erection of this building in the reign of Queen
.
,
“The poore made havocke of all goods moveable in the Blacke and Gray friera, and left nothing but bare walls;
yea, not so muche as doore or window, so that the Lords had the lease to doe when they came. After their coming, all
monuments of idolatrie within the toun, and in places adjacent, were suppressed and removad.”-29th June 1559. Calderwood‘
s Hist. v01. i p. 475.
1 Ante, p. 72. The previous statement is scarcely correct; however, the old Council House stood immediately to the
north of the lobby of the Signet Library, but without occupying any part of its site ; the old building continued standing
until the other was built to some height. * Thk also appears from the notice of the meeting of Parliament, 17th January 1572, ante, p. 84.
2 c

... UCKENBOOTHS AND PARLIAMENT CLOSE. 201 and humour that led Burns to style him ‘‘ a birkie wee1 worth gowd,” ...

Book 10 p. 220
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 123
without an infringement of principle. With this view, during one of his visits
to London, he procured singers from the Cathedral of York, by whose aid he.
originated an amendment in the conducting of the psalmody, which was at first
looked upon as a daring innovation, but is now become pretty general throughout
the Establishment.
There were some slight defects in the character of the Doctor, which have
been admitted by his warmest friends-he was vain, and very susceptible of
flattery. A gentleman one day met him on the street, and, in the course
of conversation, mentioned that his friend Mr. Donald Smith, banker, was
anxious to secure a seat in the High Church, that he might become one of the
Doctor’s congregation. “ Indeed,” continued this person, ‘‘ my friend is quite
anxious on this subject. He has tried many preachers, but he finds’your
sermons, Doctor, so superior in the graces of oratory, and so full of pointed
observation of the world, that he cannot think of settling under any other than
you.”-“ I am very glad to hear that I am to have Mr. Smith for a hearer,” said
the preacher with unconscious self-gratulation-“ he is a very sensible man.”
Dr. Blair’s “ taste and accuracy in dress,” continues our authority, “were
absolutely ridiculous. There .was a correctness in his wig, for instance, amounting
to a hair-breadth exactness. He was so careful about his coat, that, not content
with merely looking at himself in the mirror to see how it fitted in general, he
would cause the tailor to lay the looking-glass on the floor, and then standing on
tiptoe over it, he would peep athwart his shoulder to see how the skirts hung.
It is also yet remembered in Edinburgh, with what a self-satisfied and finical air
this great divine used to walk between his house and the church every Sunday
morning, on his way to perform service. His wig frizzed and powdered so
nicely-his gown so scrupulously arranged on his shoulders-his bands so pure
and clean-and every thing about him in such exquisite taste and neatness.”
Upon one occasion, while sitting for his portrait, he requested the painter
to draw his face with a pleasing mile. The painter replied, “Well, then, you
must put on a pleasing smile.” The Doctor, in attempting to do this, made a
most horrid grin, which, being immediately transferred to the canvas, gave his
effigy the appearance of that of a downright idiot. This effect being pointed
out to him by a friend, he immediately ordered the painting to be destroyed,
and a new one forthwith commenced, the Doctor contenting himself with having
it executed without the ‘‘ pleasing smile.”
During the latter part of his life almost all strangers of distinction who visited
Edinburgh brought letters of introduction to Dr. Blair ; and as he wils quite at
ease in point of worldly circumstances, and had then in a great measure ceased
to study intensely, he in general entertained them frequently and well. On one
of these occasions, when he had collected a considerable party at dinner to meet
an English clergyman, a Scotchman present asked the stranger what was thought
of the Doctor’s sermons by his professional brethren in the south. To his horror,
and to the mortification of Mrs. Blair, who sat near, and who looked upon her
husband as a sort of divinity, the Englishman answered, “Why, they are not

... SKETCHES. 123 without an infringement of principle. With this view, during one of his visits to ...

Book 8 p. 179
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the neighbouring .collegiate church, to a brewer?s
granary and spirit vault ! The ground floor had
been entirely re-paved with hewn stone ; but over
a large window on the first floor there was a sculptured
lintel, which is mentioned by Arnot as having
TAILORS? HALL, COWGATE.
interesting remains, so characteristic of the obsolete
faith and habits of a former age, afforded undoubted
evidence of the importance of this building in early
times, when it formed a part of the extensive
collegiate establishment of St. Mary-in-the-Fields
bore the following inscription, cut in beautiful and
very early characters :-
???itbe Baria, gratia pkna, lomfnus tecum.?
A most beautiful Gothic niche was in the front of
this Suilding. ? It is said to have stood originally
over the main gateway,? he continues, above the
carved lintel we have described, and without a
the wealthy citizens of the capital. To complete
the ecclesiastical feature of this ancient edifice, a
boldly-cut shield on the lower crowstep bore the
usual monogram of our Saviour, I.H.S., and the
window presented the common feature of broken
mullions and transoms with which they had been
originally divided.?

... neighbouring .collegiate church, to a brewer?s granary and spirit vault ! The ground floor had been entirely ...

Book 4 p. 252
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CONTENTS.
- --
CHAPTER I
THE KIRK OF ST. MARY-IN-THE-FIELDS.
YhCD
Memorabilia of the Edifice-Its Age-Altars-Made Collegiate-The Prebendal Buildings-Ruined-The House of the KW-of Field-The
Murder of Darnley-Robert Balfour, the Last Pmvost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . I
CHAPTER 11.
T H E UNIVERSITY.
A n ~ l s of the Old Co:lege-Chartem of Queen Mary and James VI.-OM College described-The lirst Regems-King Jdmes?s Letter of
1617-Quarrel with Town Council-Students? IZlot in 1 6 b T h e Principal Dismissed-Abolished Offices-Dissection for the first
time-Quarrel with the Town Council-The Museum-The Greek Chair-System of Education introduced by Principal Rollock-The
Early Mode of Education-A Change in r7jo-The Old Hours of Attendance-The Silver Mace-The Projects of 1763 and 1789 for a
New College-The Foundation laid-Completion of the New College-Its Corporatiop after ~8~&-Pnnapal.-Chairs, and First
Holders thereof-Afew Notable Bequests-Income-The Library-The Museums . . . , . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTEK 111.
THE DISTRICT OF THE BURGHMUIR.
The Muster by James 111.-Eurghmuir feued by James 1V.-Muster before Flodden-Relics thereof-The Pest--The Skirmish of Lowsie
Low-A Duel in 17zz-Valleyfreld House and Lmen Lodge-Barclay Free Church-Bruntsfield Links and the Golf Clubs . . . 27
CHAPTER IV.
DISTRICT OF THE BURGHMUIR (concZrr&d).
Morningside and Tipperlin-Provost Coulter?s Funeral-Asylum for the Insane-Sultana of the Crimea4ld Thorn Tree-The Braids of that
Ilk-The FairleF of Braid-The Plew Lands-Craiglockhart Hall and House-The Kincaib and other Proprieto-John Hill Burton-
The Old Tower-Meggatland and Redhan-White House Loan-The White House-St. Margaret?s Convent-Bruntsfield House-The
Warrenders-Greenhill and the Fairholm-Memorials of the Chapel of SL Roque-St. Giles?s Grange-The Dicks and Lauders-
Grange Cemetery-Memorial Churches , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:
CHAPTER V.
THE DISTRICT OF NEWINGTON.
The Causewayside-Summerhall-Clerk Street Chapel and other Churches-Literary Institute-Mayfield Loan-Old Houses-Fre Church-
The Powbnrn-Fernde Blind Asylum-Chapel of St. John the Baptist-Dominican Convent at the Sciennes-Scienns Hill House-Scott
and Burns meet-New Trades Maiden Hospital-Hospital for Incurables-Pratonfield House--The Hamiltons and Dick-Cunninghams
--Cemetery at Echo Bnnk-lhe Lands of Gmemn-Craigmillar-Dption of the Castle- James V., Queen Mary, and Damlev.
wraentthere-QueenMary?sTree--ThePrestonsandGilmours-PeBerMillHo~~.

... -- CHAPTER I THE KIRK OF ST. MARY-IN-THE-FIELDS. YhCD Memorabilia of the Edifice-Its ...

Book 6 p. 393
(Score 0.46)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 445
becoming a barrister, he at the same time prepared himself for admission to the
Faculty of Advocates, by studying the Scotch and Civil Law, under the celebrated
Professor Millar, in the University of Glasgow. Early imbibing Whig principles;
and the French Revolution having split society in this country into so
many parties, Mr. Macfarlane delayed following up his intention till 1804, when
he removed to Edinburgh, and came to the bar in 1806. His practice was
very considerable ; and, without swerving from his political principles, in which,
however, he was always moderate, he at length realised iuch a competency:
that, about the year 1832, when he had the misfortune of losing his wife, to
whom he had been married above thirty years (by whom he had no family), he
resolved to retire from farther public practice, which he had the satisfaction of
doing, like the philosophic Hume, without ever having preferred a request to
one great man, or even made advances to any of them. He died in 1839.
XI1.-ARCHIBALD FLETCHER, author of “ An Examination of the
Grounds on which the Convention of Royal Burghs claimed the right of Altering
and Amending the Setts or Constitution of the Individual Burghs.” Edinburgh,
1825, 8vo. He was a native of Glenlyon, Perthshire, where he was
born in 1745. His father, Angus Fletcher, was a younger brother of Archibald
Fletcher, Esq. of Bernice and Dunans, in Argyleshire. He completed his
apprenticeship, as a Writer to the Signet, with Mr. Wilson of Howden, who
afterwards admitted him into partnership. While prosecuting his professional
labours with equal zeal and success, he contrived to devote a considerable portion
of time to classical and other studies, frequently encroaching on those
hours that ought to have been given to rest; and at length, aspiring to the
toga, he became, in 1790, at the age of forty-five, a member of the Faculty of
Advocates.
Naturally of a
kind and generous disposition, he was on all occasions the friend of the oppressed,
and the consistent advocate of freedom. Many years before he was himself
known to have any view towards the bar, he effectually opposed, in a wellwritten
argumentative pamphlet, addressed to the Society of Writers to the
Signet, the adoption of a resolution by the Faculty of Advocates, prohibiting
the admission of members above twenty-seven years of age-a resolution which
would have irremediably operated to the exclusion of many industrious aspirants
to legal eminence. Much about the same period he published an essay on
Church Patronage-a subject at that time warmly debated in the Church
Courts-and in which he of course advocated the popular side. In 1784, when
Burgh Reform was first agitated in Scotland, he took an active part in the
energetic measures then adopted. He was chosen secretary to the society formed
in Edinburgh at the time; and, in 1787 was one of the delegatesdespatched to
London by the Scottish Burghs.
On his way to the metropolis Mr. Fletcher first met with the young lady
who afterwards became his wife. They were married in ’1791 ; and though
Mr. Fletcher was justly styled the father of Burgh Reform.

... SKETCHES. 445 becoming a barrister, he at the same time prepared himself for admission to ...

Book 9 p. 594
(Score 0.46)

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